Former PMs urged not to voice their concern publicly
(The Star) – Former Umno presidents Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi have been urged to use the proper channels to voice out their concerns for the party.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said both leaders should consider Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s “humble request” to both men to speak to the new party president if they had anything to say about Umno.
“Datuk Seri Najib is willing to meet either one of them if they have any issues to bring up.
“If there is anything that they are unhappy about, please don’t make it public, because making open statements will not be good for the Government and the party,” Shabery told reporters after attending the closing of the Jelajah Malaysia 2009 cycling tournament at Dataran Merdeka yesterday.
He was asked to comment on Dr Mahathir’s criticism that some of Najib’s Cabinet members should not have been appointed due to their backgrounds.
On Saturday, Abdullah had said that problems could occur if one refused to accept changes and do things which were not proper.
On Dr Mahathir’s claim that
the Western media was making a concerted effort in demonising Najib, Shabery said Umno would need to look into the allegations seriously.
However, he said such demonisations against Malaysia’s leaders were not new.
“Some of the media make news reports on happenings or make commentaries, which are fine.
“But, if their reports are based on certain agendas, then we have to look into that,” he added.
However, Shabery did not elaborate on what action the Government could take on the matter.
Shabery said financier George Soros once had sponsored some of the media which criticised Dr Mahathir’s leadership during his tenure as Prime Minister.
On another matter, Shabery said Terengganu Umno members should carry out their public duties in line with Najib’s aspirations outlined in his 1Malaysia concept.
“Our president is working to unite Malaysians through his 1Malaysia idea.
“Married people have quarrels too, but my advice is they should not go overboard,” he added.
He was commenting on 10 Terengganu state assemblymen who stayed away from the state legislative assembly sitting amid talk of concerns over the Mentri Besar’s administrative style and decisions.
